Steve Smith – Interview
Steve Smith of Cassidy, B.C. has just joined the Devinci Cycles for the 2011 and we were at his first video shoot aboard the new Wilson. Between runs Steve was able to answer a few questions for us.![photo]()
Cove was your first World Cup team offering, then you spent two seasons with Evil and now you are on the Devinci World Cup team. What does it mean to you to be back on a Canadian brand?
I am really excited to be riding for a Canadian brand. Evil was great for me and very helpful. There aren’t a ton of Canadians racing World Cup level races and to be able to do so with a strong Canadian company like Devinci backing me couldn’t feel any better.
Tell us about the new deal with Fox Racing outer wear?
I'm really pumped on Fox. Mike Redding is a bad ass and I am stoked to be working with him again. Everyone at Fox is super nice and I think it’s a great fit.
![photo]()
You are wearing a Leatt brace this season, what made you decide to commit to wearing the brace?
I would be stupid to continue without one. The family is happy and so is the lady friend. Leatt has been very helpful with getting me all set up.
Tell us about your diet and how you take care of your health?
The diet is pretty basic. Foods for repair and foods for energy. It's important to eat healthy when trying to recover from riding and training all the time. Keeping yourself healthy is always a good feeling.
What is your weekly training regime?
I can't tell you in detail, ha ha, but basically it's 3 days of cardio, 3 days of weight training. The rest of each day and week is bike/moto riding and whatever else I can fit in.
Tell us about your off season, non-bike wise, what do you do? Moto, ski, snowboard, shooting guns etc?
Off the bike I've been spending a lot of time in the gym. I was injured for the last while, but I will be getting back on the moto this week. Riding Enduro is the next best thing to DH for me. I pretty much just like to keep things active and have lots of fun. Shooting guns is always fun too!
Favorite Trail: Patch Works
Favorite place to ride: Prevost on Vancouver Island, B.C.
Favorite race course (least favorite): Maribor, Slovenia is a top for sure. Least would be Sea Otter. I'm sad that there is still an important DH race held there every year.
![photo]()
Flats vs. Clips? What and when?
I ride flats 85% of the time. The clips come out when necessary like at the South African World Cup round, Sea Otter, etc..
Tell us about your crash in California back in December?
3 minutes into riding I slid out and fell awkwardly onto my side, doing some damage to one of my lat muscles. It was one of the lamer crashes I've had. Snored for about 45 seconds and woke up laughing with tingly feet, ha ha!
Pros and Cons to photo shoots?
Communication is a con, it's tough to get everything lined up each run through. Everything else is beneficial I'd say, getting yourself some coverage while having fun on your bike.
You just bought a house, how did that come about and how pumped are you?
I've been renting for the last two years and watching the pennies. It's nice to travel and come back to your own home. Renting never feels like home, home.
What happened at Worlds, did you have it in the bag or do you look at that race like any other and feel that you earned your 2nd?
I definitely would not say that I had it in the bag. I felt confident and good on my bike. That is always a good start. Practice went well and my splits were in the top. Splits in practice don’t say a lot, but it is still a confidence booster. I'd rather have a good result pinning it than ride safe and have average results. Crashing knowing I went for it would feel better than an average run.
![photo]()
You placed 2nd at the World Champs this year, was that your most memorable race placing to date? If not, what is your best memory?
2nd at Worlds was pretty amazing for me and probably my most memorable podium finish to date. I also had one World Cup podium this year (Val di Sole) and that was pretty memorable because it was my first. Being my first made it pretty exciting!
In a recently interview with Rob Roskopp he talked about the value of the World Cup overall series versus the one day World Champs. You were second this year at the World Champs at MSA in Quebec. Do you agree with Rob or what is your take on the difference between winning the World Cup DH Series overall or winning the World Champs?
For me the World Champs are a lot less stressful as it’s a one day event and you aren’t worried about the overall World Cup standings. It’s a balls to the wall, one day race. I’d rather be the World Cup series overall champ. I wasn’t there this year, I had 2 crashes in 6 races – that is not acceptable in a World Cup season. You need to be able to consistently put it all together. The races I didn’t crash in were ok. The best rider will hold it together every race. Consistency is a major factor.
Your progression over the years as a rider has been very smooth. How do you see it continuing to the top of the podium and what will it take to stay there?
For me it's consistency. I'd love to be able to finish a clean World Cup season. That would be my biggest progression.
What are your goals for the 2011 season?
Break some World Cup podiums, have fun and ride consistently all year.
![photo]()
*All photos by Sterling Lorence
Cove was your first World Cup team offering, then you spent two seasons with Evil and now you are on the Devinci World Cup team. What does it mean to you to be back on a Canadian brand?
I am really excited to be riding for a Canadian brand. Evil was great for me and very helpful. There aren’t a ton of Canadians racing World Cup level races and to be able to do so with a strong Canadian company like Devinci backing me couldn’t feel any better.
Tell us about the new deal with Fox Racing outer wear?
I'm really pumped on Fox. Mike Redding is a bad ass and I am stoked to be working with him again. Everyone at Fox is super nice and I think it’s a great fit.
You are wearing a Leatt brace this season, what made you decide to commit to wearing the brace?
I would be stupid to continue without one. The family is happy and so is the lady friend. Leatt has been very helpful with getting me all set up.
Tell us about your diet and how you take care of your health?
The diet is pretty basic. Foods for repair and foods for energy. It's important to eat healthy when trying to recover from riding and training all the time. Keeping yourself healthy is always a good feeling.
What is your weekly training regime?
I can't tell you in detail, ha ha, but basically it's 3 days of cardio, 3 days of weight training. The rest of each day and week is bike/moto riding and whatever else I can fit in.
Tell us about your off season, non-bike wise, what do you do? Moto, ski, snowboard, shooting guns etc?
Off the bike I've been spending a lot of time in the gym. I was injured for the last while, but I will be getting back on the moto this week. Riding Enduro is the next best thing to DH for me. I pretty much just like to keep things active and have lots of fun. Shooting guns is always fun too!
Favorite Trail: Patch Works
Favorite place to ride: Prevost on Vancouver Island, B.C.
Favorite race course (least favorite): Maribor, Slovenia is a top for sure. Least would be Sea Otter. I'm sad that there is still an important DH race held there every year.
Flats vs. Clips? What and when?
I ride flats 85% of the time. The clips come out when necessary like at the South African World Cup round, Sea Otter, etc..
Tell us about your crash in California back in December?
3 minutes into riding I slid out and fell awkwardly onto my side, doing some damage to one of my lat muscles. It was one of the lamer crashes I've had. Snored for about 45 seconds and woke up laughing with tingly feet, ha ha!
Pros and Cons to photo shoots?
Communication is a con, it's tough to get everything lined up each run through. Everything else is beneficial I'd say, getting yourself some coverage while having fun on your bike.
You just bought a house, how did that come about and how pumped are you?
I've been renting for the last two years and watching the pennies. It's nice to travel and come back to your own home. Renting never feels like home, home.
What happened at Worlds, did you have it in the bag or do you look at that race like any other and feel that you earned your 2nd?
I definitely would not say that I had it in the bag. I felt confident and good on my bike. That is always a good start. Practice went well and my splits were in the top. Splits in practice don’t say a lot, but it is still a confidence booster. I'd rather have a good result pinning it than ride safe and have average results. Crashing knowing I went for it would feel better than an average run.
You placed 2nd at the World Champs this year, was that your most memorable race placing to date? If not, what is your best memory?
2nd at Worlds was pretty amazing for me and probably my most memorable podium finish to date. I also had one World Cup podium this year (Val di Sole) and that was pretty memorable because it was my first. Being my first made it pretty exciting!
In a recently interview with Rob Roskopp he talked about the value of the World Cup overall series versus the one day World Champs. You were second this year at the World Champs at MSA in Quebec. Do you agree with Rob or what is your take on the difference between winning the World Cup DH Series overall or winning the World Champs?
For me the World Champs are a lot less stressful as it’s a one day event and you aren’t worried about the overall World Cup standings. It’s a balls to the wall, one day race. I’d rather be the World Cup series overall champ. I wasn’t there this year, I had 2 crashes in 6 races – that is not acceptable in a World Cup season. You need to be able to consistently put it all together. The races I didn’t crash in were ok. The best rider will hold it together every race. Consistency is a major factor.
Your progression over the years as a rider has been very smooth. How do you see it continuing to the top of the podium and what will it take to stay there?
For me it's consistency. I'd love to be able to finish a clean World Cup season. That would be my biggest progression.
What are your goals for the 2011 season?
Break some World Cup podiums, have fun and ride consistently all year.
*All photos by Sterling Lorence
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nice to see Steve and Devinci joining forces he will show how fast canadians rip
plus i cant wait to see how well the new split piviot holds up also the new gear is bad $#@
good luck Steve
Maybe they're working on a dual application helmet for DH and MX.
Kinda sad too see him off evil though, they're great guys there.
Also, switching from fox and shimano to sram?
I cry
where the hell did you here that the 2011's are failing? i bet you more boxxer break everyday than the amount of fox break in a a month
... i haven't seen a fox with kashima leave my shop and not come back leaking oil like a mofo... and as far as rebuilds, i'd say a 40 and a wc are about the same as far as service intervals few a few factory freaks on both sides.... I made a subjective comment about what i prefer to ride, where i live, because it works better for me.
furthermore i believe smith turned pro riding a boxxer.